AB375: What CA Autism Service Providers Need to Know About Telehealth

Most California health service owners focused on autism therapy haven't noticed a quiet but significant change buried in AB375: qualified autism service paraprofessionals can now deliver telehealth services—and that shift carries compliance obligations many aren't prepared for.

What Changed

AB375 amended Section 2290.5(a)(3)(C) of California's Medical Practice Act to add qualified autism service paraprofessionals to the statutory definition of "health care provider." That technical change has a practical consequence: paraprofessionals working under your supervision can now bill for and deliver autism services via telehealth, not just in-person.

For small ABA therapy clinics and autism service providers, this opens a door. Telehealth expands your service area, reduces no-shows tied to transportation barriers, and lets you deploy paraprofessional staff more flexibly. If you've wanted to offer remote sessions but weren't sure whether your paraprofessionals could legally do so, AB375 answers that question: yes.

The Catch: New Compliance Rules Apply

Here's what many owners miss: the moment paraprofessionals become statutory "health care providers," they're no longer exempt from the telehealth regulations that apply to licensed clinicians. That means your paraprofessional staff now must comply with:

• Telehealth consent requirements — clients must affirmatively consent to telehealth delivery, and that consent must be documented
• Documentation standards — telehealth sessions require the same clinical documentation as in-person visits
• Confidentiality obligations — paraprofessionals must meet the same privacy and security standards for remote sessions (including secure platforms, private settings, etc.)
• Unprofessional conduct rules — paraprofessionals can now be cited for conduct violations tied to telehealth delivery, just as licensed providers can

If your current paraprofessional telehealth setup doesn't include documented client consent, robust session notes, or secure communication platforms, AB375 signals you need to upgrade those systems.

Timing and Next Steps

AB375 does not include an explicit effective date in the statute. Under California law, bills without an urgency clause typically take effect on January 1 of the following year. You should confirm the effective date with your legal counsel or trade association, as implementation timelines affect when you need compliance systems in place.

Before you expand telehealth delivery, audit your current practices: Do you have written telehealth consent forms? Are session notes meeting documentation standards? Is your communication platform HIPAA-compliant or otherwise secure? Are supervisory protocols clear about what paraprofessionals can and cannot do remotely?

AB375 creates opportunity, but only if you build the guardrails first.

Source: AB375, Section 1 (amended Section 2290.5(a)(3)(C)), page 4. For guidance specific to your practice, consult your legal counsel or state trade association.